Cyprus
Look beyond the resort strips and Cyprus offers Roman mosaics at Paphos, frescoed Byzantine chapels in the Troodos pine forests and a capital divided by a UN buffer zone since 1974. Long, hot summers, left-hand driving and UK-style plugs make it easy for British visitors, and crossing to the Turkish Cypriot north is routine.
Overview
Cyprus has been split since 1974 between the Greek Cypriot south, governed by the EU-member Republic of Cyprus, and the Turkish Cypriot north, recognised only by Turkey, with a UN-patrolled Green Line between them. Britain left its mark too: two sovereign base areas, left-hand driving and three-pin plugs. Most visitors base themselves on the south coast — Paphos for the mosaics and the Akamas peninsula, Limassol for Kourion and the Troodos villages, Larnaca or Ayia Napa for beaches — then spend a day in Nicosia, crossing on foot to the north's Ottoman quarter and on to Kyrenia or Famagusta.
It is an easy island to travel, though not a cheap one: resort prices sit close to Western European levels, while mountain tavernas and long village meze lunches offer better value. July and August are fiercely hot, often above 35°C inland, so many visitors prefer spring wildflowers or the still-warm sea of October and early November. English is widely spoken. People are often surprised by how quiet the hill villages are less than an hour from the coast, and that you can ski on Mount Olympus after a snowy winter.
Map of Cyprus
Top 5 highlights
- 1History
Kato Paphos Archaeological Park
Some of the eastern Mediterranean's finest Roman floor mosaics survive in the villas of Dionysos, Theseus and Aion, part of a UNESCO site that also includes an odeon, a Byzantine fort and the nearby Tombs of the Kings.
- 2Sacred site
Troodos painted churches
Ten UNESCO-listed Byzantine churches hide in the pine-clad Troodos, their plain barn-like roofs concealing floor-to-ceiling frescoes. Combine them with Kykkos Monastery and walks around Mount Olympus, the island's highest point at 1,952 metres.
- 3History
Kourion
A Greco-Roman city on a clifftop above Episkopi Bay, with a restored theatre that still hosts summer performances, mosaic-floored villas and the Sanctuary of Apollo Hylates a short drive west.
- 4Nature
Akamas Peninsula
Cyprus's wildest corner: undeveloped coast, the Avakas Gorge, turtle-nesting beaches at Lara and boat trips from Latchi to the Blue Lagoon. Walk the Aphrodite trail early in the day to avoid the heat.
- 5History
St Hilarion Castle and Kyrenia
In the north, a fairy-tale medieval castle sprawls across crags above Kyrenia, whose horseshoe harbour is guarded by a Venetian fort housing a museum with a merchant ship wrecked around 2,300 years ago.
Biggest cities
Nicosia
The world's last divided capital: walk the Venetian walls, Ledra Street and the Cyprus Museum, then cross the Green Line on foot to the north's Büyük Han caravanserai.
Limassol
A port city with a revamped marina, a medieval castle and a long seafront promenade; the best base for Kourion, the wine villages and the Troodos.
Larnaca
Home to the main airport, a palm-lined seafront and the Church of Saint Lazarus; divers come for the Zenobia ferry wreck just offshore.
Ranked by urban-area population where available. Figures are rounded estimates, and sources define city limits differently, so rankings of similar-sized cities can vary.
When to go to Cyprus
Best time: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct.
Average climate in Nicosia
Festivals & events
- Feb–MarLimassol Carnival
Ten days of fancy dress, satirical floats and parties before Orthodox Lent, ending in a grand costumed parade through Limassol's streets.
- Apr–MayOrthodox Easter
The year's biggest celebration: candlelit midnight services, bonfires, red-dyed eggs and flaounes cheese pastries, followed by souvla feasts on Easter Sunday.
- May–JunKataklysmos
The Festival of the Flood, held at Orthodox Pentecost, brings water fights, boat races, music and food stalls to the seafronts, especially in Larnaca.
How much does Cyprus cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Souvla
Large chunks of pork or lamb slow-roasted on long skewers over charcoal, the centrepiece of Sunday family gatherings and village feasts.
Halloumi
The island's squeaky sheep's and goat's milk cheese, best grilled until golden, or eaten fresh with watermelon in summer.
Meze
A parade of twenty or more small plates, from dips and salads to sheftalia sausages and kleftiko, served in waves at tavernas.
Getting around
There is no railway, so most visitors hire a car; driving is on the left and hire cars carry red number plates. Intercity buses link Nicosia, Limassol, Larnaca, Paphos and Ayia Napa cheaply, and shuttle buses serve both airports, but rural buses are sparse. Taxis are easy to find in towns. Check whether your hire-car insurance covers the north; usually you must buy separate cover at the crossing.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- G230V — UK plugs fit
- Emergency numbers
- Telephone: 112 (ambulance, fire, police)
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +357
- Time zone
- UTC+2 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Generally safe to drink
- Driving
- On the left
- Tipping
- Some restaurants add a 10% service charge; if not, leave around 10% for good service and round up taxi fares.
- Etiquette
- Cover shoulders and knees in churches and monasteries, where dress codes can be strict. Be tactful about the island's division, and never photograph soldiers or military posts along the Green Line.
- Main airports
- Larnaca International Airport (LCA), Larnaca; Paphos International Airport (PFO), Paphos
Visas & entry for Cyprus
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
You can travel without a visa to Cyprus for up to 90 days. This applies if you travel: as a tourist; to visit family or friends; to attend business meetings, cultural or sports events; for short-term studies or training.
At Cyprus border control, you may also need to:
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Tetanus
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- Bat Lyssavirus
- Yellow fever certificate
- No yellow fever certificate is required to enter.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Cyprus
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Wed 28 Oct 2026 | Ohi Day |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Sat 26 Dec 2026 | Day After Christmas |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Wed 6 Jan 2027 | Epiphany |
| Mon 15 Mar 2027 | Green Monday |
| Thu 25 Mar 2027 | Greek Independence Day |
| Thu 1 Apr 2027 | Cyprus National Day |
| Fri 30 Apr 2027 | Good Friday |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Labour Day |
| Sun 2 May 2027 | Easter Sunday |
| Mon 3 May 2027 | Easter Monday |
| Mon 21 Jun 2027 | Pentecost Monday |
| Sun 15 Aug 2027 | Dormition of the Mother of God |
| Fri 1 Oct 2027 | Cyprus Independence Day |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Greek
| English | Greek | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Γεια σας | YAH-sas |
| Thank you | Ευχαριστώ | ef-kha-ree-STOH |
| Please | Παρακαλώ | pa-ra-ka-LOH |
| Excuse me | Συγγνώμη | seegh-NOH-mee |
| How much is this? | Πόσο κάνει αυτό; | POH-soh KAH-nee af-TOH |
Know before you go
- To visit the north, take your passport to a crossing such as Ledra Street in Nicosia. The north uses the Turkish lira, though euros are often accepted.
- In July and August sightsee early or late; inland temperatures often top 35°C, and exposed sites such as Kourion and the Paphos mosaics have little shade.
- The sea stays warm into November, so late autumn is a good-value beach option once school holidays end and hotel prices drop.
Cyprus travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Cyprus?
The best time to visit Cyprus is generally Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Peak months are April, May, June, September and October. Average highs in Nicosia range from 16°C to 37°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Cyprus cost per day?
Roughly £50 a day on a tight budget, £100 mid-range and £220+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Cyprus?
Euro (EUR).
What plug type does Cyprus use?
Type G sockets at 230V. UK visitors need a travel adapter.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Cyprus?
Traffic drives on the left in Cyprus — the same as in the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Cyprus?
Generally safe to drink.
Do I need a visa for Cyprus?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You can travel without a visa to Cyprus for up to 90 days. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Cyprus before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/cyprus/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Cyprus?
TravelHealthPro recommends Tetanus for most travellers, with Bat Lyssavirus sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
